Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) or ACT/SAT? A Decision Guide for Prospective Olivet Nazarene University Teacher Candidates Dear Teacher Candidate: To be admitted into any of Olivet’s education programs that lead to initial or advanced certification, and to eventually be certified in the state of Illinois, applicants must have passed the Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP) Effective July 24, 2012, however, ACT/SAT scores can be used in lieu of a passing score on the TAP for obtaining a provisional educator certificate/license or for full admission to an Illinois educator preparation program www.isbe.state.il.us/certification/pdf/act-sat-grade-use-notice0712.pdf The following guide can be used to determine which test to take/use for this admission requirement Be advised that beginning July 1, 2012 all Illinois certification tests will be valid for years TAP Components Passing Score Offered Fees* (subject to change) Reading Comprehension: 60 multiple-choice questions Language Arts: 60 multiple-choice questions Mathematics: 50 multiple-choice questions Writing: constructed-response writing assignment Must receive an 80% (240) or higher on each subtest to pass the TAP Computer-based test offered at Pearson-Vue sites whenever the site is open Click on Chicago Test Area Map Then click on “Test Sites for Computer Testing.” (http://www.icts.nesinc.com/) Total fee for all subtests: $125 Fee for one subtest: $75 Fees may be subject to change ACT English - 75 questions - 45 minutes Mathematics - 60 questions - 60 minutes Reading - 40 questions - 35 minutes Science 40 questions - 35 minutes Writing Test - One prompt - 30 minutes Must receive a composite score of 22 (or SAT 1030), including the writing No individual subtest scores required Test centers are located throughout the state of Illinois at 376 sites for your convenience (http://www.actstudent.org/regist/centers/) Total fee for all subtests (with writing): $50.50 Fees may be subject to change NOTE: Each test session counts as one of the five times the TAP can be taken Registration Test Prep Information http://www.icts.nesinc.com/ http://www.actstudent.org/ Go to PREPARE FOR YOUR TEST, and click on ACCESS ICTS Preparation Materials Navigate to study guides and click on TAP #400 Read through the study guide and take the practice multiplechoice test to assess your skills in reading, language arts, mathematics, and writing The study guide and practice test are free The following link offers several preparation guides and an ACT question of the day There is a fee for some of these preparation materials Note: A free preparation book can also be accessed here, which provides practice tests, a writing prompt, and sample essays There is an additional link for practice test questions, which is also free Test tips and test descriptions are provided to further prepare you for the test (http://www.icts.nesinc.com/) (http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/) A TAP expanded study guide can be purchased for $19.95 (http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_expandedst udy_opener.asp) McGraw-Hill offers free ACT practice tests and problem-solving videos for English, mathematics, science, and reading (http://www.mhpracticeplus.com/act.php) A full-length practice test can be purchased here The cost for a single practice test is $17.95 A bundle of three practice tests can be purchased for $29.95 (http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_prepare_op ener.asp) Kaplan Test Prep offers free online ACT practice tests and workshops (http://www.kaptest.com/College/Gettinginto-College/free-practice-testsworkshops.html) Longsdale Publishing ICTS Basic Skills Online Course and Practice Test: Click on: Register New Account School Number: 24558 School Key: onu (http://www.longsdalepub.com/icts/) The Princeton Review offers fee online ACT practice tests and workshops (http://www.princetonreview.com/college /free-act-practice-test.aspx) Basic Skills Test Preparation: Click on: Register Student Institution Passcode: JW4X7CMFTW Enter your name, email, & field of study (http://www.basicskillsprep.org) This site offers a download of an ICTS Basic Skills Test (IBST) and a printable version of the practice test Although the TAP has replaced the IBST, links to practice materials for the IBST are still applicable because many of the questions on the TAP will be similar or the same at those found on the IBST In essence, the TAP is an expanded version of the IBST (http://www.icts.nesinc.com/IL_practest_op ener.asp) Additional Workshops & Tutoring Resources The following sites may help you to refresh and build upon your skills in reading, language arts, mathematics, and writing READING Boot camp for reading skills and comprehension (http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/PDFs/CA_OP T_Reading.pdf) (ICTS Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test) This link provides a fee ACT practice math test with 60 questions and answers (http://www.analyzemath.com/practice_tests/ act/act_sample_1.html) Free practice ACT tests are available at this site (http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetai l.asp?eid=13) For the ACT mathematics test, you are not required to use a calculator, but you may so if you choose Access the following link to view which calculators are permitted and which ones are prohibited (http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/tips/ calculator-tips.html) LANGUAGE ARTS Boot camp for grammar and essay writing (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/) (http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/) ICTS Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test) MATH Boot camp for percents, fractions, and decimals, solving problems, analyzing data, etc (http://www.wiu.edu/users/mfjro1/wiu/Bo otCamp/PFDfront/index.html) (http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/pdfs/ca_opt _math.pdf) (ICTS Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test) WRITING Boot camp for effective writing skills (http://www.cbest.nesinc.com/PDFs/CA_OP T_Writing.pdf) (ICTS Basic Skills Diagnostic Practice Test) Calculator use is not allowed during the TAP On Campus Workshops in Bourbonnais On campus workshops are available Please check the education website for current dates and times (http://education.olivet.edu/facstaff/facstaff.htm)